Diner Beware!!!
Fratello's specializes in Italian food, yet offers traditional American food as well. The menu is pretty much a rip-off of the Olive Garden - with inflated prices!
Fratello's was THE place to dine in Trenton throughout the 1990's, however, has been a steady decline in popularity since the millenium. In it's heyday reservations were required at least a week in advance, and even then you could count on a short wait for a table. Reservations are no longer required as many empty tables eagerly await the next patron. It seems that most people I know seem to have one horror story or another ranging from poor service to cold food to the dishwashers throwing food and breaking bottles and using foul language in the parking lot. Management is not readily available to patrons to address complaints / concerns.
My last dining experience at Fratello's involved a small group of friends celebrating my recent retirement. Upon arrival we were promptly seated by the host, however it took more than ten minutes for our waitress to acknowledge us. I found this to be unacceptable as the dining room was virtually empty, save for a few couples already in the process of enjoying their meals. Our waitress finally made her way to our table (she was sitting at the bar, deep in conversation with another waitress) to take orders for drinks (which took another ten minutes to arrive) and appetizers. No recomendations for appetizers were offered - and when asked about the size and flavor of certain items, she immediately excused herself to the kitchen to retrive answers! In my opinion, the person serving you should be able to answer any questions about the menu at your table without seeking the assistance of others. We did order the house antipasto appitizer and goat cheese with garlic bread and tomatos. Although assured by our waitress that this would be plenty for our group (11 persons), there were only 5 or 6 small pieces of garlic bread and a few slices of meat and cheese with a pile of beans! Hardly appitizing!
By this time, our drinks had run dry and our waitress seemingly vanished for the next 5 minutes (she was not off to serve other patrons as the few remaining diners were in the process of leaving), returning only when I finally caught her attention and flagged her down. Upon recieving our round of beverages we were ready to place our dinner order. The menu offered three house "specials" in addition to the standard menu and the majority of our group ordered off of the special menu. Our waitress disappeared into the kitchen with our order and remained invisible for the next 10 minutes, finally returning with our salads. At this time she informed us that a few of us would have to change our orders as there was not enough food left to complete our order!!! This is simply unacceptable in an empty restaurant!!! After those of us who had to change our orders did, we began to eat our salads. That did not last long - the lettuce was unacceptable.
Our entree's arrived 20 minutes after placing our order. Our waitress smelled heavily of cigarette smoke (I do not smoke and can smell a smoker a mile away!)and actually coughed while balancing the tray on it's stand. I ordered the menu "special" veal chops - and the portion was generous. The presentation was excellent, however, the meat was cold at the first bite. The rest of the group had the same complaint of cold food as well, however, our waitress was again nowhere to be seen. We all picked at our food and resigned ourslves that this was as good as it was going to get at Fratello's. When our waitress finally returned she presented us with a bill, desert was not offered. Upon handing her my credit card she immediatly ask if her 18% gratuity would be a charge or cash! I asked if she felt that her service was worth 18% - the response was that 18% is EXPECTED!!! All of my life I have always considered myself a "high" tipper, basing my gratuity on the service I recieve, and considered this to be very insulting - I EXPECTED a good dining experience!
After seeing my friends to their cars, I went back inside to speak to the manager. After speaking to my server, she excused herself to locate "Vince". After 5 minutes or so she returned and apologized, stating "Vince" was unavailable and instead wrote down the restaurant telephone number and asked that I contact "Frank" in the morning. I called the following morning - and the next two mornings thereafter - "Vince" and "Frank" seem to be ficticious people as nobody has been able to put me through to either! On my last contact, I left my telephone number and requested to be put in touch with the restaurants owner as management did not seem interested in my concerns. The owner has not returned my telephone call either.
To sum this review, diner beware!!! If you are looking for a fine dining experience in the Trenton area, I would first consider another place. I, for one, will never dine at Fratello's again!    [17 Oct 2004 12:39:16]

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     ­Ms. Manners   

Never again
On a recent Friday evening a friend & I decided to go out to dinner on the spur of the moment. Fratello's is not far from my new house and I had heard it used to have a long wait to be seated.
No line at the door at 6:10 pm(first clue), upon being seated by a large man in a dingy looking suit, we took a look around the dining room, which was almost empty. There were only 3 other tables seated(2nd clue), in a fairly large restaurant.
Our waitress, a long haired blond, took a full 5 minutes to make her way to our table and ask for our drink order (even though we had full view of her standing and chatting to another short haired blond. She then took another full 5 minutes to bring us our drinks.
I ordered the chicken with raspberry sauce, my friend had the veal tosca. The chicken was dry & tough & lukewarm and the sauce couldn't hide the fact. My friends veal tosca was overpowered by the prosciutto, which had an odd tang to it and the baked cheese on top was lukewarm. Both our side dishes of mixed veggies were cold, and my friends had a bonus... a long blond hair on top of her cold veggies.
Our waitress never came back to ask how our meal was but did come after the plates had been cleared (by a very sweet bus boy), to ask for dessert orders.
Ever optimistic as we are and still hungry after not finishing our dinners, we ordered tiramisu & cannoli for dessert. Knowing both are traditional Italian desserts and pretty much idiot proof. Wrong... We're still arguing over which part was worst.    [18 May 2005 13:22:00]

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Recommended Dishes: Another restaurants!

     ­1timediner   

Amazing italian food
Fratellos is the best italian food i have ever had. It has amazing service and the place looks great. The reviews above are from people who dont know american food and are bullshiting you. Fratellos is the best place ever to go for any occasion. If you want great italian food, go to fratellos!!!    [05 Nov 2005 19:53:06]

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Recommended Dishes: veal medallions

     ­Italian food buff   

Wonderful Experience
I found my experience at Fratello's very enjoyable. First, my waitress was a lovely young lady, and we were her top priority. At some other restaurants, the waiters only care about their tips. I could tell this one actually wanted to make the guests happy. Our food came very fast and we could tell it had just come out of the oven. it was fresh and delicious. The waitress returned 2 or 3 times to make sure everything was okay and to refill our glasses. She returned after dinner to clear our plates and recommend a few desserts, which we all decided to have. The dessert was also very delicious. The restaurant was very clean and quiet, with privacy so the next table wasn't listening to your conversation. We left Fratello's happy and eager to come back again.    [06 Nov 2005 17:27:50]

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Recommended Dishes: Chicken Ceasar Salad

     ­food critic   

#1 Italian restaurant in metro-detroit
Fratellos is the very best italian restaurant I have been to and i have been to Italy. Fratellos food taste like pure Italian food. The enviorment is very calm and enjoyable. The waiter comes to make sure everything is alright multiple times. All the food we had was the best, so if you want a great experience in a great enviorment, GO TO FRATELLO'S!!!    [07 Nov 2005 22:18:55]

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Recommended Dishes: they're all amazing

     ­Mr. Manners   

Awesome brunch
My family has been going to Fratellos for years and every time we go we love our meal. I always get the chicken with raspberry sauce and it is great every time. They give very generous portions on the chicken unlike places like Olive Garden. My favorite part of this restaurant is the Sunday brunch. They have everything from waffles and omelets made to order to chicken, seafood, and beef dishes for those who want more of a lunch food. The dessert is amazing especially the warm bread pudding with warm sauce to pour on top. It is the best brunch around!!    [02 Jan 2006 01:17:44]

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Recommended Dishes: Grilled Breast of Chicken & Beef tips

     ­unk   

Mother's Day Brunch
I took my mother, cousin and sister to Fratello's for our yearly brunch at Fratello's last Mother's Day. We had an excellent time. We don't eat out much and it felt nice to have someone wait on me for a change. Our waitress got extra props for dealing with my mother expertly. I am a waitress and I know my mom is a tough customer. The variety and quality of the food was fabulous, definitely worth the price of brunch. We will be going back this May.    [23 Feb 2006 14:36:12]

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Recommended Dishes: The Gnocchi

     ­Dannielle, Newport   

This is a very nice place. Every time I went the owners are always in the building. I think the food is very good. Service could use some help.    [03 Mar 2006 18:53:07]

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     ­unk